Woodworking Machinery Fundamentals

• Session 1 Dec 14 5-8 pm Joiner/Planer/Miter Saw
• Session 2 Dec 21 5-8 pm Jigsaw/Drill Press/Sander
• Session 3 Dec 28 5-8 pm Tablesaw/Band Saw

Class size limited to six. Priority given to those signing up for two or more tutorials. Completion of this class certifies you to use these machines to work independently on your own projects as a member or a non-member on a day pass.

Class Description:

Learn how to set up and safely operate the most commonly-touched machines in a wood shop. In these hands-on tutorials, we will cover not only usage fundamentals, but focus on establishing an ergonomic rhythm for your body while engaging with them. This will allow for more efficiency in your material use & physical movements, as well as set you up for greater comfort, safety & longevity as you work.

In each session, we will be working with scrap material, with the goal of honing your physical skills. These are not project-based workshops. That said, if you have signed up for multiple sessions, you may choose to create a cutting board with material from an earlier session; in this case, additional light instruction will be provided.

This methodical approach will break down each process in a way that is both accessible to those who are new to these machines, and useful to others who are looking to brush up their skills. Besides general machinery how-to’s, see below for specifics we will cover in each session. Any and all questions are greatly encouraged, especially the ones we’ve been taught to think we should already know the answer to.

Jointer / Planer / Miter saw

Wednesday Dec 14, 5-8p

Milling procedure overview, incl stickering & clamping in between sessions

Identify lumber’s cup & bow; correctly place lumber on jointer, check for square

Identify & correct for tearout; mark for square & grain direction

Gradual planing to minimize tearout; correct for warping

Quick jig-making to minimize tearout & kickback, quick-clamp stop blocks

Jigsaw / Drill press / Sander

Wednesday Dec 21, 5-8p

Select & swap blades for appropriate use

Adjust foot & bed angles, returning to square

Speed & belt tension adjustments

Set depth stop, quick reference fence for drilling multiples

Clamping & orbital sander best practices

Tablesaw / Bandsaw

Wednesday Dec 28, 5-8p

Identify appropriate blade height, teeth & tension for the material

Select & swap blades for appropriate use; hardwood vs plywood

Rip fence & offcut best practices; accounting for blade thickness

Crosscut sled use & quick-clamp stop blocks

Cutting curves, relief cuts, accounting for blade thickness

Miters, check square, template use with angles, table bed adjustment

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